Subaqueous construction



March 26,1929. P. L. WISE v SUBAQUEOUS CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 16 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A m m v WSS@ lNvEr'a-ron l WITNESS:

ATTORNEY March 26, 1.929. P WiSE SUBAQUEOUS CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 16. 1922 3 SheetsA-Sheet IllllllllllllllllllllillllllllIlllllllllllllllllllllIIII '2/1/ gz f2.6-

Patented Mar. 26,` 1929.

` PLATTL. WISE, or PORTLAND, OREGON.

sUBAeUEOUs CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed September 16, 1922. Serial No. 588,661.

This invention relates to a method and means of constructing atunnel7 and the like, the general object of the invention being to construct such structures upon floating bases which form a part of the completed structures at the places where they are to be located. y

Another object of the invention is to make the structure hollow so that it will float, thus permitting it to be'towed to the place where it is to be sunk and permitting most of the work to be done in the open and above water. l

Another object of this` invention is to make a cellular constructed tunnel giving each class and direction of traiiic aseparate compartment, thus making it easier to control the traffic and to ventilate the structure. This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail7 reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention showing a tunnel being constructed in accordance therewith, the top of the tunnel not being in place.

`Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through one of the tunnel sections.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing how the structure is moved toa place where it is being sunk.`

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the structure being sunk into place.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view showing a tunnel and portion of a wharf.

Figure 6 is an end view of a tunnel section.

In carrying out my invention I build a base l of timbers 2 which are fastened together to form a raft. Cement forms 3 are then erected on this raft and concrete 4t placed in the forms. This concrete forms the walls of the structure and bulkheads 5 are placed at the ends of the structure to keep out the water. Other bulkheads 6 are placed intermediate the ends of the structure to divide the same into compartments which may be used to hold the ballast wat-er while the structure is being built and to prevent any sudden shifting of the Water that' is used in sinking the structure. The bulkheads are strengthened by the braces 7. The outer walls of the structure and the bulkheads at ythe ends thereof form an entirely enclosed structure which is similar to a ship whose entire cargo capacity has been used in strengthening and stiifening the same. The end` bulkheads must be built strong enough to withstand the pressure at whatever depth the structure is to be sunk. I form in the tunnel as a roof of the ballast water compartmentat the bottom thereof, a longitudinal way with an exit at the terminal wharf, as shown in Figure 5. Air and water pipes 8 are provided for pumping air or water into or out of the structure. After' the structure is nearly completed it is towed or otherwise moved to the place where it is to be sunk and then by pumping out the air and pumping in water the ,structure sunk to itslbed which has been prepared beforehand. The structure may be formed in sections and `after the sections have been put in place cement or concrete is placed bctween the adjacent ends of the sections and after this is hardened the bulkheads are re heads. The structure is of cellular construc-` tion, the compartments being formed by interior walls and bulkheads. The structure is kept at an even depth Of flotation by pumping in water and distributing the water in the different compartments to keep the structure trim as it is being built. This structure can be built at any desired point and then moved to the point where it is to be sunk. This structure will have the strength of a similar structure on land but its weight is very little more than that of the water 4or mud that it displaces so that it needs no foundation for itself and is capable of acting as a foundation for other structures, Nearly all of the work can be tunnel.l 'a

done inthe open without the useof divers,

or the doing of the Work under water; Figures 3 and 4 show'how the structure can be towed by barges, shown at 'A, to the yplace where it is to be sunk.r Ranging masts Bean be placed on the structurefor facilitating its positioning.

VvFigure 5 shows a tunnel and a wharf placed over the land `section of the tunnel with stairs leadingfrom the wharf into the Itwill of Vcourse bennderstood that any forni of structure canbe built in accordance of my invention will be readily'apparent.

I desire ittfo be .understood that I may l-rnake :changes in the construction .and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided thatisuch changes fall within the scopefof-t-he appended claims.

.. What If claim is 1. VA, method of. forming a sub-aqueous tunnel Vconsistingr in forming at the waterline .tubular `concrete sections forming an integralV unit of independent cells adapted to hold Water ballast below a way level, said section being water-tight at ythe ends, towing the buoyant section to the tunnel site, pumping water into the cells to lower the section into close alignment with a preceding section, forming a concrete seal at the junction and iinally puncturing the section ends adjacent each joint.

2. A method of forming a sub-aqueous tunnel consisting in forming at the waters line,.a plurality of parallel sections of cellular character below a wa level, said sections forming a unit water-tig it at the ends. floating it into adjacent position to a neighboring section, pumping in water to the cells, sealing the joints and puncturing the seals at the joints.

V3. A sub aqueous tunnel, comprising a plurality of integral concreto sections, each scction having a concrete way supported on transverse watertight partitions rising at intervals forming water ballast cells, puncturable concret-e diaphragms at the ends of each section, pipes in each section for supply of water to the cells to sink the section to the tunnel bed, the partitionsy being of such height as to afford Water ballast to hold the sections in place, and watertight seals at the several adjacent section joints.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature.

PLATT L. WISE. 

